CalTech Claims Apple Has Violated Its Wi-Fi Patents
According to a recent report, California Institute of Technology (CalTech) has filed a suit against Apple and Broadcom for allegedly using its Wi-Fi patents in their products. CalTech believes that Apple�s iPhone 5 and newer devices (including iPad, Mac and Apple Watch) that use Broadcom Wi-Fi infringe one the patents that focus on IRA/LDPC codes, which is an encoding and decoding circuitry designed to improve overall data transmission performance and rates.
Apple manufactures, uses, imports, offers for sale, and/or sells Wi-Fi products that incorporate IRA/LDPC encoders and/or decoders and infringe the Asserted Patents. Apple products that incorporate IRA/LDPC encoders and/or decoders and infringe the Asserted Patents include, but are not limited to, the following: iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad Pro, iPad Mini 4, iPad Mini 3, iPad Mini 2, MacBook Air [and] Apple Watch.
In the same lawsuit, CalTech has also named Broadcom as a company that also infringes its patents. According to the filing, Broadcom is responsible for supplying Wi-Fi chips, Apple Watch, iPhones, and iPads, as well as its line of Macs that support 802.11ac.
Apple is one of Broadcom�s largest customers. In 2012, 2013 and 2014, sales to Apple represented 14.6%, 13.3% and 14.0% of Broadcom Corp.�s net revenue, respectively. […] During this timeframe, Broadcom�s Wi-Fi products that incorporate IRA/LDPC encoders and decoders and infringe the Asserted Patents were incorporated into Apple�s key products including iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers. […] Broadcom and Apple are jointly and severally liable for infringement of the Asserted Patents.
In the suit, CalTech wants a sales ban against the infringing devices and is currently looking for a jury trial moving forward. While it has not mentioned any settlement amount in the filing, Caltech is expecting �adequate� damages paid to school.
